Tuesday, August 9, 2011

Raaja's Golden Arpeggios or Broken Chords!

In music, an arpeggio is a technique where notes in a chord are played or sung in sequence one after the other rather than being played simultaneously. For instance C Major Chord consists of C E G . Instead of playing it in unison, if we play by breaking it and playing as separate notes it constitutes an Arpeggio .There are plenty of Maestro's songs which have Arpegios/Broken Chords where we will take a look at a sample few:

1) Vinnaar Amudhey - Baba Pugazh Maalai
Hear the melody going in parallel with the song. This is a wonderful illustration of using a broken chord or Arpeggio.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=i-D0X8kZwOQ

2) Maamanukku Mylapore - Velaikaran
An absolute fun riot song with rollicking lyrics, its impossible not to tap your feet when you listen to this. The song also has some really catchy Arpegios, hear the Bass Arpegios from 01:07 to 01:16
and also the trumpet has fun between 02:44 to 02:46
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=n8oG5W_Zrkg

3) Minmini Paarvaigal - Julie Ganapathi
Minmini Paarvaigal is a gem from Raja in the 2000s and is a really nice composition where the starting notes themselves represent a Broken Chord. It utilizes the notes 
Sa Ga Pa (C Minor) Minmini
Sa Ga Pa (C Minor) Paarvaigal
Sa Ma Da (F Minor) En Nenjam
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=bFQ7WLVCe_8

4) Nilave Nee Vara Vendum - En Arugil Nee Irunthal
Check out the soul ridden broken chords on this soul stirring number Nilave Nee Varavendum from En Arugil Nee Irunthal which is another 90's beauty. Look at the delectable prelude using chordal break ups and forming a melody Pa Sa Ga2 4 times (C Minor), Ni2 Ga2 Pa (E Minor) Ni2 Ma1 Ga, Pa Ga Sa (C Minor), Pa Sa Ni. You also hear the broken chord Pa Sa Ga2 (C Minor) going continuously during the 2nd interlude and acting as a counterpoint to the lush filling mellowy guitar melody moving in parallel. Truly a camaraderie between the Guitars, Violins and Flute.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Ql7XtI44IMk

5) En Gaanam - Eera Vizhi Kaaviyangal
Absolutely wonderful layering with broken chords playing a major role. Hypnotically bliss listening to it all by yourself.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=gmXor_29l4E

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